Table Of ContentPomPeii
 
Art, industry  
and infrastructure
edited by
Eric Poehler, Miko Flohr and Kevin Cole
oXBoW BooKS
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© oxbow Books and the individual authors, 2011
iSBN 978-1-84217-984-0
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Front cover: View of an atrium at Pompeii. Photograph © Will Collins, with permission
A CiP record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data 
 
Pompeii : art, industry, and infrastructure / edited by eric Poehler, miko Flohr, and Kevin Cole.
       p. cm.  
   includes bibliographical references and index.
   iSBN 978-1-84217-984-0 (alk. paper)
   1. Pompeii (extinct city)--Antiquities--Congresses. 2. Pompeii (extinct city)--intellectual life--Congresses. 3. Pompeii 
(extinct city)--Social life and customs--Congresses. 4. Pompeii (extinct city)--economic conditions--Congresses. 5. Art-
-italy--Pompeii (extinct city)--Congresses. 6. Architecture--italy--Pompeii (extinct city)--Congresses. 7. City and town life--
italy--Pompeii (extinct city)--Congresses. 8. industries--italy--Pompeii (extinct city)--Congresses. i. Poehler, eric. ii. Flohr, 
miko. iii. Cole, Kevin, 1971- iV. Archaeological institute of America. General meeting (108th : 2007 : San Diego, Calif.) 
   DG70.P7P637 2011
   937’.72568--dc22
                                                        2011004972
Printed and bound in Great Britain by
Hobbs the Printers Ltd, Totton, Hampshire
Contents
List of Contributors  v
List of Figures  vii
Abbreviations  xi
maps  xii
introduction  1 
Eric Poehler, Miko Flohr and Kevin Cole
Art
1.  Beyond Painting in Pompeii’s Houses: Wall ornaments and Their Patrons  10
  Jessica Powers
2.  The Sculpture of the Casa di octavius Quartio at Pompeii  33
  Francesca C. Tronchin
3.  Porticus and Cryptoporticus in Luxury Villa Architecture  50
  Mantha Zarmakoupi
4.  Playful Workers. The Cupid Frieze in the Casa dei Vettii  62
  Francesco de Angelis
Industry
5.  Disruption or Continuity? The Spatio-Visual evidence of Post earthquake Pompeii  74
  Michael Anderson
6.  Reconsidering the atrium House: Domestic fullonicae at Pompeii  88
  Miko Flohr
7.  Pottery Production in Pompeii: an overview  103
  Myles McCallum
Infrastructure
8.  What was a via? An integrated Archaeological and Textual Approach  115
  Alan Kaiser
iv Contents
9.  Lead Contamination in the Drinking Water of Pompeii  131
  Duncan Keenan-Jones, John Hellstrom and Russell Drysdale
10.  Practical matters: infrastructure and the Planning for the Post-earthquake 
  Forum at Pompeii  149
  Eric Poehler
Bibliography	 164
List of Contributors
Michael	Anderson holds a doctoral degree from the  Alan	Kaiser	completed a Ph.D. in classical archaeology 
University of Cambridge (2004) and works as assistant  at the University of Boston (1999) and currently is 
professor at San Francisco State University. He is  associate professor of archaeology at the University of 
director of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii.  evansville, indiana.
Kevin	Cole	holds a Ph.D. in classical art and  Duncan	Keenan-Jones	has recently completed a 
archaeology from the University of Virginia (2009)  doctoral degree at at macQuarie University, Sidney, 
and is now a faculty member in Art History, History  where he is now a research and teaching assistant. 
and Visual Arts at miami international University of 
Myles	McCallum	is associate professor of Classics in 
Art and Design. He has wide field experience in both 
Saint mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is 
italy and Greece.
finds director at the Pompeii Archaeological Research 
Francesco	de	Angelis	completed his dissertation at the  Project: Porta Stabia. 
Scuola Normale Superiore at Pisa (2003), and now is 
Eric	Poehler completed his dissertation in classical 
an associate professor in Roman Art and Archaeology 
archaeology at the University of Virginia (2009) 
at Columbia University in New York City.
and now is assistant professor at the university of 
Russell	Drysdale is Conjoint Seniour Lecturer in the  massachussets at Amherst. He is co-director of 
School of environmental and Life Sciences, Newcastle  the Pompeii Quadriporticus Project, director of 
University, Australia. His research focuses on global  architectural research for the Pompeii Archaeological 
environmental change, particularly the use of natural  Research Project, Porta Stabia and managing editor of 
archives to reconstruct past climates. the website Pompeiana.org.
Miko	Flohr holds a Ph.D. in classical archaeology  Jessica	Powers	is the Gilbert m. Denman, Jr., Curator 
from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Nether- of Art of the Ancient mediterranean World at the 
lands (2010), and currently works as assistant director  San Antonio museum of Art. She holds a Ph.D. in 
of the Roman economy Project at the University of  classical art and archaeology from the University of 
oxford. At Pompeii, he directed the Cleaning the  michigan (2006).
Laundries project.
Francesca	Tronchin	earned her Ph.D. in 2006 from 
John	Hellstrom	has been a research fellow at Royal  Boston University. She is currently Assistant Professor 
Holloway, monash University, and since 2002, at the  of Art History at Rhodes College in memphis, 
University of melbourne, after completing a Ph.D.  Tennessee.
in the Research School of earth Sciences, Australian 
Mantha	Zarmakoupi completed a D.Phil. at the 
National University on paleoenvironmental records 
University of oxford (2007) and currently works as 
from the isotope geochemistry of New Zealand cave 
a Humboldt postdoctoral fellow at the University of 
formations.
Cologne. She is initiator and director of the VR Digital 
model of the Villa of the Papyri Project.
List of Figures
All pictures were made by the authors of the chapters to which they belong, unless indicated otherwise.
Fig. 1.1 – The Casa degli Amorini dorati (Vi 16,  Fig. 1.11 – Painted marble panel depicting the 
7.38) and its wall ornaments (adapted from Seiler  slaugher of the Niobids from the Casa del marinaio 
1992, fig. 529; drawing of gold-glass medallion after  (Vii 15, 2). mANN, inv. no. 109370 (Photo: 
NSc 1908, fig. 5). SAP).
Fig. 1.2 – Casa degli Amorini dorati (Vi 16, 7.38):  Fig. 1.12 – House i 13, 16 and i 11, 12: plans 
view across the peristyle from northeast.  with locations of wall ornaments (adapted from 
Fig. 1.3 – Casa degli Amorini dorati (Vi 16, 7.38):  Jashemski 1993, plans 14 and 16).
peristyle, south portico: mask relief and painted  Fig. 1.13 – House i 13, 16: garden triclinium during 
medallions (Photo: SAP, neg. D80735.). excavation (Photo: SAP, neg. A8692).
Fig. 1.4 – Casa degli Amorini dorati (Vi 16, 7.38): 
peristyle, east wall with obsidian panel to the right  Fig. 2.1 – Casa di octavius Quartio (ii 2, 2): plan 
of the door to the atrium. with locations of sculpture.
Fig. 1.5 – Casa dell’efebo (i 7, 10–12) and Casa  Fig. 2.2 – Casa di octavius Quartio (ii 2, 2): plan 
del Frutteto (i 9, 5): plans with locations of the  of the upper terrace with locations of sculpture.
obsidian panels (adapted from Jashemski 1993,  Fig. 2.3 – Glazed terracotta statuettes of Bes and a 
plans 10 and 12). pharoah from the small peristyle garden.
Fig. 1.6 – Casa dell’efebo (i 7, 10–12): atrium,  Fig. 2.4 – A marble statuette of a heron with a snake 
east wall with obsidian panel between the doors to  in its beak from the small peristyle garden.
rooms 9 and 10. Fig. 2.5 – The lower nymphaeum and a statuette 
Fig. 1.7 – Cameo-glass panels from the Casa di  of an Amorino holding a theatrical mask (partially 
m. Fabius Rufus (Vii 16, 22). mANN, inv. nos.  from Jashemski 1993, 81: fig. 88). 
153652 and 153651 (Photo: SAP). Fig. 2.6 – Statuette of a sleeping Hermaphrodite 
Fig. 1.8 – Slate and marble intarsia panel depicting  from the south end of the garden. 
Venus from the Domus Volusii Fausti (i 2, 10).  Fig. 2.7 – Statuettes of muses from the upper 
mANN, inv. No. 109678 (Photo: SAP). canal. 
Fig. 1.9 – Domus Volusii Fausti (i 2, 10): plan  Fig. 2.8 – Heads of a bearded and younger Dionysos 
with location of the intarsia panel (adapted from  from the upper canal.
Jashemski 1993, plan 5). Fig. 2.9 – Statuette of an egyptian sphinx with a 
Fig. 1.10 – Slate and marble intarsia panels from  bronze boss of a satyr. 
House Vii 2, 38. mANN, inv. nos. 9977 and 9979  Fig. 2.10 – Statuette of the young Herakles or 
(Photo: SAP). opheltes strangling a snake.
viii List of Figures
Fig. 2.11 – Statuette of a theatrical mask in a box.  Fig. 5.2 – House Vi 15, 5.24–25: access and 
Fig. 2.12 – Three statuettes of animal hunt  visibility maps (plan after eschebach 1970).
scenes.  Fig. 5.3 – Casa di Julius Polyvius (iX 13, 1–3): access 
Fig. 2.13 – Telamon in the shape of a satyr, found  and visibility maps (plan after CTP).
near the entrance to the garden.  Fig. 5.4 – Casa del Sacello iliaco (i 6, 4): access and 
visibility maps (plan after CTP).
Fig. 3.1 – oplontis, Villa A: plan (after Förtsch  Fig. 5.5 –Casa di Salve Lucru (Vii 1, 25.46.47): 
1993, pl. 69, 4). access and visibility (plan after CTP).
Fig. 3.2 – Stabia, Villa San marco: plan (after Salza  Fig. 5.6 – Casa dell’efebo (i 7, 10–12.19): access 
Prina Ricotti 2002, 10, fig. 1).  and visibility (plan after CTP).
Fig. 3.3 – Stabia, Villa Arianna A: plan (after Pisapia  Fig. 5.7 – Casa di m. obellius Firmus (iX 14, 
1989, 37, fig. 10).  2.4.b): access and visibility (plan after CTP).
Fig. 3.4 – Herculaneum, Villa of the Papyri: plan 
(after Wojcik 1986, pl. 1). Fig. 6.1 – fullonica of Stephanus (i 6, 7): plan.
Fig. 3.5 – Stabia, Villa San marco: view inside  Fig. 6.2 – fullonica of Stephanus (i 6, 7): en-
porticus 20, 5 towards garden 9. trance.
Fig. 3.6 – oplontis, Villa A: view inside crypto- Fig. 6.3 – fullonica of Stephanus (i 6, 7): atrium 
porticus 24 towards porticus 40. e, basin.
Fig. 3.7 – Herculaneum, Villa of the Papyri: bird’s  Fig. 6.4 – fullonica Vi 8, 20–21.2: plan after 
eye view of digital model.  split.
Fig. 3.8 – oplontis, Villa A: view of porticus 40  Fig. 6.5 – fullonica Vi 8, 20–21.2: overview of 
enclosing garden 59.  peristyle from oecus 12.
Fig. 3.9 – oplontis, Villa A: view of cryptoporticus  Fig. 6.6 – fullonica Vi 8, 20–21.2: NW corner of 
46 looking towards peristyle 32. the peristyle.
Fig. 6.7 – fullonica Vi 8, 20–21.2: pillar with 
Fig. 4.1 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Plan (from  painted scenes of fullers at work, e face.
Dickmann 1999, pl. 7.7g). Fig. 6.8 – fullonica Vi 14, 21–22: Plan. 
Fig. 4.2 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Plan of oecus  Fig. 6.9 –fullonica Vi 14, 21–22: impluvium with 
(q) with distribution of Cupid vignettes. marble furniture contemporary to the workshop 
Fig. 4.3 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Chariot race  in the back yard.
of Cupids (DAiR, Neg. 31.2741). Fig. 6.10 – fullonica Vi 14, 21–22: room P, west 
Fig. 4.4 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Cupids as fullers  wall with fourth style decoration.
(DAiR, Neg. 31.2737).
Fig. 4.5 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Cupids as  Fig. 7.1 – The Via Superior pottery workshop: 
goldsmiths (DAiR, Neg. 31.2736). plan including the associated commercial strip 
Fig. 4.6 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Cupids as  building.
perfume makers (DAiR, Neg. 31.2739). Fig. 7.2 – Pottery workshop i 20, 2–3: plan.
Fig. 4.7 – Casa dei Vetti (Vi 15, 1): Cupids as  Fig. 7.3 – Casa di Stefano (i 7, 2–3): Cupids 
garland makers (DAi, Neg. 31.2551). ornately decorated vase (from NSc 1926, 12).
Fig. 4.8 – Herculaneum, Casa dei Cervi (iV, 21):  Fig. 7.4 – Caupona of Pulcinella (i 8, 10): fresco 
Cupids as perfume makers (mANN; DAiR, Neg.  with potters at work (SAP, inv. 45622).
61.1024).
Fig. 4.9 – Casa di Trittolemo (Vii 7, 5): Cupids as  Fig. 8.1 – Pompeii: street map indicating depth of 
perfume makers (Trendelenburg 1873, tav. 3.2b). street from city gates.
Fig. 8.2 – Pompeii: street map indicating depth of 
Fig. 5.1 – Casa del Sacello iliaco (i 6, 4), courtyard  streets from forum.
m: gypsum blocks.
List of Figures ix
Fig. 8.3 – Pompeii: street map indicating the  concentration (determined from 206Pb concen-
number of intersections for each street. tration) along the growth axis.
Fig. 8.4 – Pompeii: street map indicating distance  Fig. 99..99 –– PPPiiisssccciiinnnaaa mmmiiirrraaabbbiiillliiisss sssaaammmpppllleee llleeeaaaddd cccooonnnccceeennn---
between doorways (after Laurence 1994 figs.  tration (206Pb) along the growth axis.
6.1–6.4).
Fig. 10.1 – map of Forum Area.
Fig. 9.1 – The water system of Pompeii. Fig. 10.2 – So-called Arch of Nero (Photo: Kevin 
Fig. 9.2 – Aqua Augusta and Abella aqueduct  Cole).
routes.  Fig. 10.3 – Ramp and drain opening on Vicolo del 
Fig. 9.3 – Lead junctions, with associated taps, from  Balcone pensile (Photo: Kevin Cole).
the water system of Pompeii. Fig. 10.4 – Drains on macellum (Photo: Kevin 
Fig. 9.4 – enlarged photograph of Pompeii water  Cole).
tower 5 sample.  Fig. 10.5 – Lava curbstone blocking drain on Vicolo 
Fig. 9.5 – Aqua Augusta and Abella aqueduct routes:  del Balcone pensile (Photo: Kevin Cole).
sample locations. Fig. 10.6 – View inside macellum Drain (Photo: 
Fig. 9.6 – median lead concentrations. Kevin Cole).
Fig. 9.7 – Lead concentration regression slopes  Fig. 10.7 – View of Vicolo del Foro.
divided by median lead concentration. Fig. 10.8 – Forum Latrine sewer beneath Vicolo 
Fig. 9.8 – Pompeii water tower 5 sample lead  del Granaio (Photo: Kevin Cole).